Basiliximab Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 23, 2021.

Consumer
Professional

For the Consumer

Applies to basiliximab: intravenous powder for solution

Warning

Intravenous route (Powder for Solution)

Only physicians experienced in immunosuppression therapy and management of organ transplantation patients should prescribe basiliximab. The physician responsible for basiliximab administration should have complete information requisite for the follow-up of the patient. Patients receiving the drug should be managed in facilities equipped and staffed with adequate laboratory and supportive medical resources.

Side effects requiring immediate medical attention

Along with its needed effects, basiliximab may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur while taking basiliximab:

More common

Abdominal pain
back pain
coughing
dizziness
fever or chills
loss of energy or weakness
painful urination
shortness of breath
sore throat
swelling of the ankles, body, face, feet or lower legs
trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
vomiting
white patches in the mouth or throat or on the tongue

Less common

Abnormal vision
agitation
anxiety
bleeding, tender, or enlarged gums
blood in the stool
bruising
chest pain
depression
difficulty in urinating
fatigue
itching
numbness or pain in the legs
skin rash
sores in the mouth
“stocking and gloves” sensation of the hands or feet
tingling

Side effects not requiring immediate medical attention

Some side effects of basiliximab may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Acne
constipation
diarrhea
headache
heartburn
nausea
trouble in sleeping
weight gain

Less common

Excessive hair growth
joint pain
muscle pain

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to basiliximab: intravenous powder for injection

Cardiovascular

Very common (10% or more): Peripheral edema (29%), hypertension (27%), general edema (21%)

Common (1% to 10%): Chest pain, face edema, leg edema, abnormal heart sounds, angina pectoris, cardiac failure, hypotension, arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, tachycardia

Postmarketing reports: Capillary leak syndrome^[Ref]

Hematologic

Very common (10% or more): Anemia (26%)

Common (1% to 10%): Hematoma, hemorrhage, purpura, thrombocytopenia, thrombosis, polycythemia, leukopenia

Hypersensitivity

Postmarketing reports: Severe acute hypersensitivity reactions (including anaphylaxis)

Immunologic

Very common (10% or more): Infection, sepsis

Postmarketing reports: Cytokine release syndrome

Musculoskeletal

Common (1% to 10%): Arthralgia, arthropathy, back pain, bone fracture, cramps, hernia, myalgia, leg pain

Ocular

Common (1% to 10%): Cataract, conjunctivitis, abnormal vision

Metabolic

Very common (10% or more): Hyperkalemia (22%), hypercholesterolemia (11%), hypokalemia, hyperglycemia, hypophosphatemia, hyperuricemia

Common (1% to 10%): Acidosis, dehydration, diabetes mellitus, fluid overload, hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypocalcemia, hypoglycemia, hypomagnesemia, hypoproteinemia, weight increase

Psychiatric

Very common (10% or more): Insomnia (24%)

Common (1% to 10%): Agitation, anxiety, depression

Genitourinary

Very common (10% or more): Urinary tract infection (46%)

Common (1% to 10%): Unspecified bladder disorders, genital edema, impotence, ureteral disorder, urinary retention, oliguria

Respiratory

Very common (10% or more): Upper respiratory tract infection (20%), rhinitis, dyspnea

Common (1% to 10%): Bronchitis, bronchospasm, abnormal chest sounds, coughing, pharyngitis, pneumonia, pulmonary disorder, pulmonary edema, rhinitis, sinusitis

Postmarketing reports: Respiratory failure

Other

Very common (10% or more): Pain (42%), fever (20%)

Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia, malaise

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Headache (24%), tremor (19%)

Common (1% to 10%): Rigors, dizziness, neuropathy, paresthesia, hypoesthesia

Renal

Common (1% to 10%): Albuminuria, bladder disorder, dysuria, frequent micturition, hematuria, increased non-protein nitrogen, abnormal renal function, renal tubular necrosis

Dermatologic

Very common (10% or more): Hypertrichosis, surgical wound complication, acne

Common (1% to 10%): Cyst, herpes simplex, herpes zoster, hypertrichosis, pruritus, rash, skin disorder, skin ulceration

Endocrine

Common (1% to 10%): Increased glucocorticoids

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Constipation (48%), nausea (34%), abdominal pain (21%), diarrhea (21%), vomiting (20%), dyspepsia

Common (1% to 10%): Enlarged abdomen, esophagitis, flatulence, GI disorder, gastroenteritis, GI hemorrhage, gum hyperplasia, melena, moniliasis, ulcerative stomatitis